What is the Krinkov?

[vityaz]

Many airsofters, some airsoft manufacturers, and a number of RS nuts continue to mistakenly call some shortened AK models Krinkovs. To clarify things, let us survey a few widely available Krinkov information sources on the Web.

The Krinkov is, strictly speaking, either the AKS-74U or the AKS-74N. The Kalashnikov Arms Catalog says the AKS-74 carbine "version was developed from the AKS-74, but radically differs from it in terms of the design of separate units and combat characteristics. The AKS-74U features a short barrel, lesser muzzle velocity, high rate of fire, but more lower consistency of fire, compared to thet of AK-74. The AKS-74U is intended for special subunits of airborne troops, signal men, combat engineers, drivers of combat vehicles, crews of missile launchers and special law enforcement subunits. It is usualy used in populated areas, on cross-country terrain and in field fortifications. There is also a version with a mount for night vision sights."



Max Popenker says it "has the size and effective range of a typical submachine gun, but has the advantage of the general issue, assault rifle ammunition and magazines, as well as parts interchangeability with the general issue assault rifle, the AK-74.

Since its introduction the AKS-74U, has also been issued to various Police and other Law Enforcement forces acres the USSR and the Post-USSR countries, including Russia. . . .The AKS-74U is somewhat popular among its users due to its compact size, which allows it to be carried in the cars and even concealed under the clothes. Its effective range of fire is greatly limited by the poor accuracy at extended ranges, while the bullet itself remains its lethality at much greater ranges. The AKS-74U also known for its tendency for rapid overheating during the prolonged fire sessions. A special version of the AKS-74U had been developed for the Special Forces (SpetsNaz), which could be fitted with quickly detachable silencer and a special 30mm silenced grenade launcher model BS-1 "Tishina" ("silence"). The launcher uses special HE-DP grenades, which are launched using special blank cartridges, stored in the box magazine, contained in the launcher pistol grip.



Technically, it can be described by the following specifications:
Caliber: 5,45x39 mm
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Overall length: 735 mm (490 mm with folded buttstock)
Barrel length: 210 mm
Magazine capacity, 30 rounds standard
Weight empty: 2,71 kg
Effective range: about 200 meters
Rate of fire: 650-735 rounds per minute

Unofficially known in Russia as a "Ksyukha" (variation of a Russian woman name) or "okurok" (cigarette stub), it is also called, according to RomanS, mp.net photographer who is also a regular contributor to Red Alliance, "Ksuha, Suchka (lil bitch), Shlepok," and "Plevok." He also notes that the KS-74U is not a favorite among Russian military personnel.

No Krinkov in that list, is there? Where did that name come from?

[vityaz]

The best source, so far, for the origin of the "Krinkov" name of the AKS-74U is Tantal. He says the first-ever view of the Krink the West had was in an article in the July 1984 issue of Soldier of Fortune magazine entitled "AKR: SOF Scoops CIA, Field-Tests Mysterious Krinkov" written by David Isby, a well known defense analyst and author.


pic courtesy Avtomats in Action; copyright 1984 by Omega Group Limited, shown for educational/review purposes only

Isby got the "Krinkov" name from the Mujahideens who had captured some examples of the AKS-74U and used these against their former owners, thus giving foreign journalists covering the Soviet Afghan War opportunities to photograph the AK74 carbines. The SOF article can thus be said to have"started the beginning of a legend and the generally common use of an iconic nickname which was actually never really officially used by the original makers."

[vityaz]

The Krink, btw, did not come like a Rodina bolt from the blue straight into the itchy hands of the SpetsNaz troops in Afghanistan. It came into service in 1979 but development of the carbine had started in 1970 with this model:



Its trigger mechanism was full-auto only. Chambered for the Russian 5.45x39 cartridge, it had a sighting radius of 280mm, a barrel length of 225mm, an overall length of 740mm (475mm, folded), and weighted 2.7 kilos with an empty magazine. Notice that it is an overfolder, a folding-stock style that is coming back into vogue with the new SMGs designed for Russian law enforcement units.

Next in development was the 1973 model:



Now coming closer to the Krink that we know with its semi and full-auto fire mechanism, this model had an undefolding stock, a slightly shorter sighting radius as well as a slightly shorter barrel. It remained chambered for the 5.45x39 cartridge.

The third and last Krinkov experimental model was done in 1976:


all pics in this post courtesy Kalashnikov Site

Still chambered for the 5.45x39, the only visible difference with current Krinks are the curved stock struts made from what seems like steel rods. This model shortened the barrel length and sighting radius a little bit more.

And thus did the legend and the icon, my holy grail, come into being

Oh, before i forget, there is also a ribbed foreguard version of the AKS-74U:



This was the inspiration, methinks, for the Inokatsu Vityaz.

[vityaz]

Since its appearance, the Krink has been replicated by several countries. Poland has its Krinkov interpretation made by Radom in the Onyks wz 89 and wz 91:



and the Mini-Beryl wz 96:



The Mini-Beryl has a modernized version designed for tacticooleers:




Bulgaria has its Arsenal-made AR-SF in 7.62x39,



5.45x39.5, and



5.56x45 versions.




Serbia has its Zastava-made 7.62x39 M92



and the 5.56x45 M85.



Some may not agree, but here we are not including the Tavor, the Mini Tavor, and the Tactical Tavor.

Hope this bit of ranting helped make things clearer for all Komrads.

[alakdan.net [aka 9th]]

ohhh...i like that...

i got extra AK47S receiver here with underfold stock...
now i can justify the usage of my waffle magz


Very nice article komrad vityaz ...

[zenTaurus]

goodah, kom alakdan . . .

with a spare receiver cover and a spare front end, you can also switch between Zastava and Arsenal versions

[rah66]

kom alakdan...baka may xtra ka pa...price po

[zenTaurus]

widely availablle na yata ung mga waffle mags ngayon

[laughingstorm]

naglalaway ako sa underfolder na ak....

[st_elmo]

ganda talaga ng AK! parang biglang pumangit yun Ssystem ko...sarap nag lagatik ng AK!